Siphon valve for flush tanks



Sept. 8, 1931. l s. POWELL 1,822,060

` SIPHON VALVE FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed May 31, 1950 Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES SAMUEL L. POXVE-LL, OF BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, MARYLAND SIPHON 'VALVE FOB FLUSH TANKS Application led May 31, 1930. Serial No. 458,683.

,3 a Hush valve off simple and durable construction adapted for installation in connection with any of the usual forms of flush tanks.

Another object of the invention is .to provide a siphon valve of the `character referred to which will be silent in operation.

The invention consists in a siphon valv-e for flush tanks including a Siphon tube and means, preferably two concentrically arranged tubes, surrounding the siphon tube and providing two interconnminicating chambers. All of these tubes are preferably attached to and carried by a base member., by means of which the valve is mounted in the flush tank, and this base member is provided with valved means ior admitting liquid from the flush tank into the two intercommunicating chambers. A ydepressible buoyant plunger is slidably arranged in one of the chambers for the purpose of displacing the water from the two intercommunicating chambers into the VSiphon tube, to thereby start the siphon action. In order to prevent sucking and gurgling .as the liquid in the tank approaches the point of exhaustion, l provide apertures whereby the Siphon action may be gradually broken; and to prevent the trapping of air in the water chamber of' the bowl during the flushing operation, I provide a vent which will permit the escape of air to atmosphere during such operation, all as l will proceed now more particularly to eXl plain and finally claim.

In the accompanying drawings illustratingthe invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the Siphon valve oit' my invention mounted in a 'liush tank et' conventional form, 'a portion only of which is shown, part being in section and part in elevation. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail illustrating a modiiication.

1 represents a liush tank having the usual bottom 2 and removable cover 3. The bottom 2 is provided with `an opening 4 through which is extended the screw-threaded nipple `5 of the base member y6 of the siphon .flush valve. This base member 6 is rigidly secured in a water-tight manner to the bottom 2 by means of a packing washer 7 and nut 8. ,5`

Connected with the nipple 5 in the usual manner, by means of a packing 9 and gland nut 10 is the discharge tube 11 which con-- nects with the water chamber ofthe Watercloset bowl (not shown).

Suitably carried within the bore .12- of the base member y6 is the siphon tube 13. This 'siphon tube preferably is reduced in diameter atits lower end as indicated at 14 for the purpose of increasing the siphon action. Also carried by the base member 6 are an inner tube 1.5 and an outer tube 1'6, preferably in screw-threaded engagement with the base member 6 as indicated at 17 and 18, respectively. The inner tube 15 is provided adjacent to its lower end with a plurality of elongated openings 19, and these two tubes 15 .and 16 arranged inspaced relation to each other and to the siphon tube 13 form between them and the Siphon tube two chambers 7 2O and 21 intercommunicating by means of the openings 19.

Within the chamber 21 is arranged la -depressible buoyant annular plunger 22 having an easy sliding` or loose lit between the outer wall ofthe tube 15 and the inner Wall of the tube 16. Connected with this plunger 22 by means of diametrically spaced ears 23 carried upon its top, links 24 and a lever 25, is the operating handle 26, which is carried S by a shaft 27 lixed to the lever 25. This operating handle 26 extends, in the usual manner, through the wall oli' the flush tank into external accessible position. In order that the operating means just described may be readily adapted to tanks of different sizes, I form the operating lever 25 in two parts longitudinally slotted as indicated at 28 and slidable relatively to each other and adapted to be maintained in lined adjustment, as regards length of the complete lever, by means of bolts 29 and wing nuts 30 or other appropriate fastening means. Obviously, other means of adjustment may be used if desired.

As will be seen, the siphon tube 13 termi nates below the upper end of the inner tube 15, and the top of the inner tube is closed by means of a cap 31 provided upon its under face with a stream line surface 32.

Water is admitted from the flush tank into the intercommunicating chambers 20 and 21, and thence into the siphon tube. as will be hereinafter explained, through valved means in the base member, these valved means comprising preferably a plurality of elongated, annularly disposed, ports 33 see particularly 2) controlled by means of an annular valve plate or ring valve 34.

Communicating with the ports 33 are apertures 35 which enter the ports 33 at some little distance above the lower extremities thereof. These apertures. being arranged above the point at which the liquid in the tank is admitted to the ports 33, will permit air to enter the chambers 20 and 21 and gradually interrupt the siphon action as the liquid in the flush tank approaches the point of exhaustion. This gradual interruption of the siphon action will prevent the undesirable sucking and gurgling noises which might otherwise occur when the liquid in the tank recedes below the point of its entrance into the ports 33.

In order that air which might be trapped within the water chamber of the closet bowl during the flushing action may be permitted to escape, I provide a vent tube 36 arranged within the siphon tube 13 and communicating with the space 37 formed between the discharge tube 11 and the reduced portion 14 of the siphon tube. This vent tube 36 eX- tends above the normal level of liquid in the flush tank and is held in adjusted position within the siphon tube 13 by means of a C`utout portion 38 in the reduced portion of the sip-lion tube and an aperture 39 in the cap 31 through which it extends and to which cap it is secured by means of a nut 40. Obviously the connection between the tube 36 and the cap 31 must be airtight, otherwise the siphon action of the valve could not be maintained.

As shown in Fig. 1. the siphon tube 13 and its reduced portion 14 may be integral and welded, soldered, brazed or otherwise suitably attached to the base member 6. However, for purposes of ease of assembly and replacement, I may form the siphon tube in two parts as shown at 13 and 14, Fig. 3, and screwthread these two parts into abutting relation within the base member 6, as indicated at 41, Fig. 3.

Inasmuch as the vent tube 36 is not needed in installations with certain types of bowls, it may be omitted in such installations. In this connection the formation of the siphon tube in two parts, as just described, will be advantageous, for the reason that the vent tube may be attached to the portion 14 of the siphon tube and be incorporated in or removed from the device along with this portion 14. Obviously, when the siphon tube is omitted, the opening 39 in the cap 31 will be hermetically sealed in some appropriate manner.

I have shown the depressible annular buoyant plunger 22 as of hollow air-tight metallic construction, but it will be under stood that, if desired, this plunger may be of any suitable material so long as it is buoyant relatively to the liquid in the tank. It may, therefore, be made of cork, wood, or other material. Moreover, this plunger may, in case it is of hollow shell-like construction, be provided with a top and a bottom and thus sealed air-tight as shown in Fig. 1, or the bottom may be omitted and the trapping of air within it be relied upon to give it the desired buoyancy.

The operation of the device is as follows Let it be assumed that the flush tank is filled with liquid (water) to the level indicated by a, this levelbeing, as usual, controlled by a float-operating inlet valve (not shown), and that the parts of my siphon valve are in the positions shown in the drawings, and that the chambers 2O and 2l are filled with water. Now if the handle 26 is partially rotated to the left, the lever 25, through the medium of the shaft 27, will be depressed, and will, through the links 24, depress or move the buoyant plunger 22 downwardly in the chamber 21. rllhis depression of the plunger 22 will displace the water from chamber 21 into chamber 20, by way of the openings 19, and will simultaneously displace the water in chamber 2O over the top of the siphon tube 13. This water flowing downwardly through the siphon tube will start the siphon action of the valve; the ring valve 34 will rise under the influence of the head of water in the tank and the water in the tank flowing upwardly through the ports 33 and openings 1S) into the chamber 2O and thence downwardly through the siphon tube 13, will rapidly empty the tank. As soon as the flushing operation starts, any air contained in the water chamber of the closet bowl will be vented to atmosphere through the space 3'? and vent tube 36, when such vent tube is used.

As hereinbefore indicated, when the water in the tank approaches the point of exhaustion, the apertures 35 will be uncovered and. air will be permitted to enter the valve along with the water entering through the ports This entrained air gradually interrupts the Siphon action and hence, when .thewater recedes to a point where Lthe entrance openings ol the ports 33 are uncovered, the siphon action will not be strong `enough to produce the objectionable sucking, gurgling or strangling noises .now prevalent in some flush valves of siphon and other types.

Obviously, as soon as the handle 26 is released the buoyant plunger 22 may lloat up- Wardly to the limit of its movement, as indicated in Fig. 1, the chambers 2O and 21 being, in such case, of course, full of water. However, the plunger may remain in its depressed position.

As is customary, the water inlet valve opens as soon as the water level in the tank falls below that indicated at a, but the outflow through the siphon valve is so rapid that the emptying of the tank is quicker than the filling thereof. However, when no more water is Siphoned from the tank through the ports 33, the ring valve 34; may Seat automatically and close the ports 33 and trap within the chambers 2O and 21 the water remaining therein. If the plunger 22 has previously risen it will thus be buoyantly maintained at the upper limit of its movement as shown. If, however, the plunger has remained in its depressed position, the water, as it rises in the tank, will again unseat the valve 34 and fill chamber 21, thus causing the plunger to rise. The filling of the tank proceeds unt-il the water reaches the level a and is then cut olf by the float-operated valve in the usual manner, and the parts are in position for subsequent operation.

The size and arrangement of the tubes 13, 15 and 16 is such that the cubical capacity of the chambers 2O and 21 will be suliicient to contain a quantity of water substantially equalingr in volume that which is necessary to fill the Siphon tube 13 when displaced into it and to thus start the siphon action.

I am aware that Siphon flush valves have been devised in which the Siphon action has been started by the lifting' of a bell or float which carries with it a quantity of liquid, which liquid is permitted to spilloverinto the siphon tube. Inall of the devices of this character with which I am familiar, the valve which controls the admission of the water to the bell is carried by the bell or float, a movable part, but I am not aware of any siphon valve in which the water for starting the 5J) Siphon action is displaced by the depression of a. buoyant plunger, or in which the valve for controlling' the admission of the water thus displaced is arranged for cooperation with ports in a liXed part. Moreover, I am not aware of any siphon valve similar to mine in which means, such as the apertures 35, are provided for preventing,` the objectionable Sucking or gurgling noises which ordinarily occur at the completion of the siphon action. Furt iermore, I am not aware of any siphon valve in which means, as hereinafter claimed, are provdedfor venting the air which'might otherwisebe trapped in the water chamber oit the water closet bowl and which might interfere with the siphon action of the valve during the flushing operation.

Various changes other than those speciiically referred to are contemplated as within the spirit of the invention and the vscepe of the following claims.

Vhat I claim is z- 1. A Siphon valve for iush tanks, including a base member, asiphon tube carried by the base member, means carried by the base member and surroundingr said tube and spaced relatively to .aid tube to form two intercommunicating chambers, a plunger ar ranged in one of said chambers and operable to displace the liquid therefrom into the other of said chambers and thence into Said tube to start the siphon yaction, and valved means in said base member for admitting liquid from the Hush tank into said chambers.

2. A siphon valve for flush tanks, including a base member, a siphon tube carried by the base member, means carried by the base member and Surrounding said tube and spaced relatively to Said tubeand to each other to form two intercommunicating" chambers, a plunger arranged in one of said chambers Vand depressible to displace the liquid Vtherefrom into the other of said chambers and thence into Said tube to start the siphon action, and valved means in said base member including a port in Said member and a valve member cooperating` therewith for admitting liquid from the VHush tank into said cham-` bers.

3. A siphon valve for flush tanks, including a base member, a siphon tube carried by said base member, a pair of tubes carried `by `said base member and surrounding said Siphon tube and spaced relatively thereto and to each other to provide two intercommunieating chambers in communication with said Siphon tube, valved means in said base meniber affording' communication between said flush tank and said chambers whereby liquid from said tank is introduced into said chambers, and a depressible plunger in one of said chambers for displacing the liquid from both of said chambers into Said siphon `tube for starting' the siphon action and emptying said flush tank by way of said valvedV means.

4. A siphon valve tor flush tanks, including;V base member, a siphon tube carried by said base member, a. pair oi tubes carried by said base vmember and surrounding said siphon tube and spaced relatively thereto and to each other to provide two intercon'nnunicating chambers in communication with said siphon tube, valved means in said base member comprising a plurality of ports in said base member and a rinr valve normally Seating over said ports aiiording communication dei lill

between Said flush tank and Said chambers whereby liquid from Said tank iS introduced into Said chambers, and a depreSSib'le plunger in one of Said chambers for displacing the liquid from both of Said chambers into Said Siphon tube for Starting the Siphon action and emptying Said iiuSh tank by way of Said valved means.

5. A Siphon valve for flush tanks, including a base member, a Siphon tube carried by Said base member, a pair or" tubes carried by Said baSe member and Surrounding Said Siphon tube and spaced relatively thereto and to each other to provide two intercommunicating chambers in communication with Said Siphon tube, valved means in Said base member comprising a plurality of portS in Said base member and a ring valve normally Seating over Said ports affording communication between Said flush tank and Said chambers whereby liquid from Said tank iS introduced into Said chambers, a depressible plunger in one cf Said chambers for diSplacing the liquid from both of Said chambers into Said Siphon tube for Starting the Siphon action and emptying Said flush tank by way or" Said valved means, and a plurality of apertures communicating' with Said ports for gradually interrupting` the Siphon action as the liquid in the tank approaches the point of exhaustion, for the purpose of preventing Sucking, gurgling noises.

6. In a Siphon valve for flush tanks, a Siphon tube, a discharge tube communicating therewith and with the water chamber of the closet bowl, Said discharge tube Surrounding Said Siphon tube throughout a portion of itS length and laterally spaced therefrom, and means comprising a vent tube within and carried by Said Siphon tube and having its lower end terminating within the Space between Said Siphon tube and discharge tube and its upper end extending above the normal liquid level in the iiush tank for venting Said discharge tube to atmosphere, to thereby prevent trapping of air in Said bowl during the flushing operation.

7. In a Siphon valve for flush tanks, a two-part Siphon tube, a discharge tube communicating therewith and with the water, chamber of the closet bowl, and means comprising a vent tube connected with one part of the Siphon tube and extending above the normal liquid level in the flush tank for venting Said discharge tube to atmosphere, to thereby prevent trapping of air in Said bowl during the iiuShing operation.

8. In a Siphon valve for flush tanks, a Siphon tube formed in two partS one of which iS of leSS diameter than the other, a discharge tube communicating with the part of the Siphon tube of leSS diameter and with the water chamber of the closet bowl, Said diS- charge tube being of greater diameter than the part of the Siphon tube with which it 

